Between several trips to Colorado and one to the Southwest in the past few months, there's only really been time for visiting some of my closest trail friends to stay in shape.  If you are looking for a less crowded hill to climb than say, something on I-90, and you don't want to drive all the way to the Index Town Wall, give Lord Hill a shot.  Lord Hill, you say?  Isn't that just a bunch of meandering trails on a hill?

Well, head over to the backside (the parking lot at the end of Old Tester past Monroe High school).  From the parking lot you can gain about 375ft in less than 1/2 mile.  It doesn't sound like much but the last 175ft of that climb just 1/10 of a mile.  Go through the gate, head up the road and when it nears the top after the cement barricades take a short trail to the right and up the hill.  Don't worry if you miss it, the road, also continues to the hill.  Just look for it on the right.

After reaching 400ft, you can continue on into the park, go up and down a few times or make a right on the trail and loop back down to the bottom of the 175ft hill and make it a circuit.  Enjoy!

Took the "Western Loop" described by mato on 9/2/17. You should be fairly familiar with the park to try this one. Check out the map at TH, and the Parks website.

Trails were all in good shape; mud is drying up. The Second Spring trail is looking like it's getting more visits; it was in danger of disappearing not too long ago. Check it out. On the Ridgeside, the spot at the top where you had to crawl under the logs has collapsed, so now you have to crawl over. Easy enough, so I left it. (It's a "primitive" trail anyway.)

The Midway was in great shape as usual, although the new middle section seems out of place with the rest of the trail. (Once it grows back in a little it should be alright.) Sat at the pond for a bit, then took the Midway Cutoff back to the gate.

This was a great route, and hits all the footpaths. Take your time and soak up the green...

Lord Hill is a fantastic urban lowland hike. Today's early May hiking conditions were good. The trail is dry for most of it, except for near the swamp and on the pipeline trail. Continue to wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots until we've had an extended period without rain. 

Plants are coming out in full force. Look for pacific bleeding heart along the edges of the trail, as well as the newly leafed-out red elderberry and indian plum.